Overcoming Fear & Embracing Growth
- Anne Ganguzza
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
with Lau Lapides
BOSSes Anne Ganguzza and Lau Lapides share an inspiring and candid conversation about the challenges and triumphs of leveling up your business. Anne opens up about her personal journey of growth, from small changes in her Pilates class to taking a significant leap in her company, battling the fear and discomfort that often accompany evolution. This episode offers profound insights into navigating change, the vital role of a supportive team, and the power of embracing risk for long-term success. Listeners will gain actionable wisdom on recognizing their own self-imposed limitations, the importance of strategic planning, and understanding that growth, while sometimes terrifying, is essential for avoiding stagnancy.
In this episode of the VO BOSS Podcast, Anne Ganguzza and Lau Lapides have an inspiring conversation about leveling up your business. Anne shares her personal journey of growth, from small changes in Pilates to big leaps in her company, and they explore how to navigate change, embrace risk, and break through self-imposed limitations to avoid stagnation.
Chapter Summaries
The Leap to Level Up & Confronting Fear
(01:04) Anne shares her personal metaphor of "leveling up" from a three-pound to a five-pound weight in Pilates, comparing it to taking a significant leap in her business. She openly discusses the "terrified" feeling and the physical stress that came with this semi-radical change, emphasizing that growth is never easy and always involves risk.
Understanding Self-Imposed Obstacles & Team Support
(03:31) Anne reveals an "aha discovery" moment: learning how she sometimes gets in her own way despite her confidence. She highlights that growing a business is a continuous learning experience about oneself and underscores the crucial role of a supportive team in overcoming self-doubt and moving forward.
The Reality of Hiring a New Team: Education & Management
(11:22) Anne details the practical steps and unforeseen time commitment involved in hiring a new team, especially those unfamiliar with the voiceover industry. She discusses the extensive education required to align a new team with her brand, expectations, and the specific terminology of the industry, contrasting it with her past easy relationships with long-term collaborators.
The Investment of Time, Money, and Self-Sacrifice
(19:38) Anne explains her approach to managing new team costs and the necessity of sacrificing her own time for education and corrections. She emphasizes that there's no way around investing time and effort to train new partners. She also shares her mindset on financial risk, comparing it to gambling in Vegas, where she's willing to lose a set amount of money for the potential of significant growth.
The Value of an Outside Perspective for Business Expansion
(24:39) Anne articulates the immense benefit of working with a team from outside the voiceover industry. This external perspective helps her expand beyond her existing "circle" and reach new target markets, such as corporate clients, by challenging her assumptions about self-representation and sales funnels.
Growth Requires Hard Work and a Playful Mindset
(29:55) Anne and Lau discuss the balance between working "smarter" and working "harder," agreeing that both are essential for business growth. Anne describes her business journey as a "creative game" where strategy is key, even amidst discomfort and stress, emphasizing the joy found in designing one's own path to success.
Top 10 Takeaways
Embrace Discomfort for Growth:
Recognizing that leveling up often comes with fear and stress, but it's a necessary part of moving forward.
Challenge Self-Limiting Beliefs:
Learn to identify and overcome ways you might be holding yourself back in business.
Invest in Your Team Wisely:
Understand that hiring new professionals requires significant time and effort for education and management, especially if they're new to your industry.
Allocate Time for Education:
Be prepared to sacrifice your own hours to properly educate new team members for long-term efficiency.
Assess Acceptable Risk:
Define how much time or money you are willing to invest and potentially lose, which can give you the confidence to take big leaps.
Stagnancy is Detrimental:
View continued growth as essential for your business's vitality, avoiding complacency.
Seek Outside Perspectives:
Collaborate with professionals outside your immediate industry to gain fresh insights and expand your reach to new markets.
Balance Work Ethic:
Understand that success requires both working hard and working smart.
View Business as a Creative Game:
Adopt a playful, strategic mindset towards your business challenges to make the journey more enjoyable and engaging.
Be the Designer of Your Game:
Remember that as a business owner, you have the power to design and execute your unique vision, making your growth journey truly your own.
Referenced in this Episode
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More from Anne Ganguzza
She's a powerhouse voice talent, producer, and host. Book time with Anne to get your voiceover career in gear or focus on a specific genre. Catch her each week on VO BOSS or register for an event on VOPeeps.com >>
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